Two children were left terrified when repeat offender David Evans broke into their family homes while they were in.

Evans had only been out of prison for 16 days after being released from a sentence imposed for the 150th offence of his criminal career.

Hungry for drug money, he broke into two homes in Wallsend while children were present and stole valuables and cars.

A court heard one of the families have been left so traumatised by the ordeal they want to move house.

Now 33-year-old Evans has been jailed for five years after taking his conviction tally up to 156 by admitting two burglaries, two counts of taking without consent and two charges of driving while disqualified.

“I’ve read statements from these two ladies about the effect on them and their children. A nine-year-old boy was frightened and upset by what you did and a 15-year-old girl in the other house was also frightened.

“This offending causes harm to those at home when you break into their houses at night.”

He stole a television, a games console and a bag while the family slept upstairs then took the key for a Vauxhall Corsa outside and helped himself to that too.

The car had been handed down to a son of the homeowner just two weeks previously following the death of his grandad.

It had a tracker device but Evans managed to get away from police and took the car home. It was later found there, along with some of the stolen items.

The court heard the break-in has left the family, including the nine-year-old boy, frightened and looking to move house. The youngster has struggled to sleep and has had nightmares.

Evans then broke into another home, on Dorset Avenue, Wallsend, at 9.45pm the same day.

He entered through an unlocked door while the family sat watching television in the living room.

He stole bank cards, a driving licence and cash from the kitchen then helped himself to a Renault Clio outside.

The woman who lives there said she was left feeling “shocked and violated” and had suffered sleepless nights and anxiety.

Her 15-year-old step-daughter was also left frightened and distressed by the burglary.

Evans, of Rosedale, High Farm, Wallsend, already had 150 previous convictions, including 90 for theft and seven for burglary.

Peter Schofield, defending, said: “He makes a full apology to the victims for what happened.

“He was back into some of his old problems of drug misuse, had personal problems in respect of his young son and his partner had moved on to a new relationship while he was serving his previous custodial sentence.

“He is from a respectable family and he needs more help than he has received.

“He is getting help in prison and is determined to better himself in the future.”